In a major collaboration with wide ranging possibilities in electric mobility, Reliance BP Mobility Limited (RBML) under the brand name Jio-bp and Mahindra Group on Tuesday announced a non-binding MoU to explore creation of EV products and services, alongside identifying synergies in low-carbon and conventional fuels.
The MoU will also cover evaluating charging solutions by Jio-bp for Mahindra vehicles including electric 3 and 4 wheelers, quadricycles and e-SCV (Small Commercial Vehicles – sub 4 ton). This would include captive fleets and last-mile mobility vehicles of Mahindra Group.
“The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both companies in the areas of EV products and services,” the companies said in a joint statement. “Mahindra Group and its channel partner locations will be evaluated for setting up of Jio-bp Mobility Stations and EV charging and swapping points apart from utilizing existing Jio-bp stations.”
Jio-bp recently launched its first Mobility Station in Maharashtra, offering multiple fueling choices, including EV charging infrastructure, while providing a world-class retailing experience. Additionally, business models like Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and Battery as a Service (BaaS) will be explored wherein Jio-bp could provide charging solutions to vehicles made by
Mahindra Group.
Mahindra was the pioneer EV company in India with the acquisition of Reva a few years back but its ambitions were handicapped due to lack of infrastructure support. The EV market in India is still in a nascent stage but is beginning to gain momentum and through this MoU, the companies said various possibilities and orientation of database, operations support systems, software, pilot and commercial-scale business model and types of charging and swapping facilities would be explored and implemented subject to techno-economic feasibility and necessary approvals.
“The partnership aims at accelerating EV adoption in India with high-performance and swappable batteries that will help in dispelling range anxiety,” the companies said in the statement. “The solutions would afford great convenience to customers who can ideally bring in a depleted battery to their nearest swapping station and within minutes move on with fully charged batteries by paying a nominal fee. Such innovative solutions will broaden the horizon for both the companies and help realize India’s net-zero emissions goals faster.”
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“It is planned to start battery sharing service for electric auto rickshaws (E-auto) from the first half of 2022 in Bengaluru, Karnataka and expand operations in other Indian cities in a phased manner,” the statement said.